Effect of land use on soil erosion and sedimentation, in the Estor, Izabal

Abstract

The mayor and best land use in El Estor, Izabal is determined by rainfall patterns, topography and soil management. The erosion is the main process of soil degradation in this region, so the effect of different land uses on mean soil erosion and sedimentation were evaluated. The method of erosion rods was used to estimate the mean soil erosion and sedimentation, as primary variables, and then the resulting net soil erosion and soil mobility, as secondary variables, during the months of February to November 2014. The results of mean values of soil erosion and soil mobility in rubber plantations and fallow land had direct relations r = 0.63 and r = 0.77 respectively. The mean values of sedimentation and soil mobility in secondary forest and fallow land had inverse relationships r = -0.88 and r = -0.79 respectively, both with 5% significance. In addition, the statistical analysis of the experimental evaluation of the land use effect on the response variables, indicated effect of land use on mean soil erosion during the rainy season, with 5% significance. In its order, the rubber plantations, fallow land, agriculture and secondary forest causing increased soil erosion. It was concluded that rubber plantations caused double erosion rate compared to those reported in the secondary forest.